Biden Faces Criticism Over Immigration Policies Ahead of Election
As the November presidential election approaches, President Joe Biden is navigating a difficult path regarding immigration, a topic he vowed not to politicize. However, his recent actions have sparked controversy from both Republicans and some Democrats, complicating his efforts.
Biden recently announced an executive order that offers significant protections for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, preventing their deportation and allowing them to work. This move has been celebrated by immigration activists and many Democrats as the most substantial relief for undocumented migrants since the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012. California Democrat Nanette Barragán, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), hailed it as a “happy day” for immigrant families.
Contrasting this, Biden’s early June executive order permits the swift removal of illegal border crossers without processing their asylum claims, a policy now facing a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union. This juxtaposition of policies highlights the tightrope Biden is walking. Republican strategist Doug Heye noted that whatever Biden does, he will face criticism, calling it “mixed messaging” that could impact his voter base.
Polls indicate immigration remains a key concern for voters, with a Gallup poll from May showing 18% of Americans view it as the top issue, down from 27% in April. Despite a decrease in migrant arrivals and detentions at the US-Mexico border, many voters trust former President Donald Trump more on immigration issues. A Decision Desk HQ and NewsNation poll from May found 46% of voters favored Trump on immigration over Biden’s 26%, with 13% undecided.
A YouGov and CBS poll revealed that 62% of registered voters support a nationwide deportation program for undocumented immigrants, a key Trump campaign promise. Notably, 53% of Hispanic voters favored this policy. Heye emphasized that Republicans believe immigration is a winning issue for them, even among some Hispanic voters.
Maca Casado, a spokeswoman for the Biden campaign, accused Republicans of seeking “chaos and partisan politics” on immigration. She stressed that Biden is focused on actionable solutions for the issues most important to communities.
Democratic strategist Ameshia Cross suggested that the lack of significant immigration reform in Congress, due to Republican opposition, could allow Biden to demonstrate his limited options and highlight his executive actions as effective. Cross pointed out that Democrats and independents who are critical of Biden’s immigration stance might need to compromise to support his re-election, as substantial reforms are unlikely under a Trump administration.
In summary, Biden’s balancing act on immigration policy is drawing fire from all sides, illustrating the complexity of addressing this contentious issue in the lead-up to the presidential election.
